How to Apply for a Masters Degree in Canada

Academic requirements

You'll need a good Bachelors degree to gain admission to a university in Canada for Masters study. You'll normally need a minimum GPA of 3.0-4.0, or its international equivalent such as a UK 2:1.

You may need to provide a graduate entry test score such as a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Language tests

If English is not your first language you’ll take an English language test such as TOEFL or IELTS. Similar requirements will apply in French if you apply for a bilingual programme or a course delivered entirely in French.

How to gain admission to a university in Canada

The admissions process for universities in Canada is similar to that of other countries. You’ll have to submit the following as part of your application:

• a completed application form, which is often submitted online;
• a certified copy of your qualifications and transcripts;
• a curriculum vitae (CV);
• proof of English language and / or French language proficiency, depending on the programme that you are applying for;
• references / recommendation letters;
• letter of motivation / personal statement;

Most universities in Canada use Grade Point Average (GPA) to classify university qualifications, but its lack of standardised system means there is a lot of variation across provinces. You may need to undergo an evaluation to determine the Canadian equivalent of your qualification. You will have to pay a fee for this, unless you already have a third party international credential evaluation report.

The central office will assess your application to make sure you meet the minimum entry requirements. The faculty you are applying to will then assess its academic quality and decide if you are suitable for the course.

If you’re successful, you will receive a letter of admission. You will need this to apply for a visa or scholarship (if relevant) and to complete your enrolment before registration.